Bhakti & Sufi — Set 4
Indian History · भक्ति और सूफी · Questions 31–40 of 50
Saint Ravidas (Raidas), a disciple of Ramananda, belonged to which profession?
Correct Answer: D. Cobbler/Tanner
• **Saint Ravidas (Raidas)** = disciple of **Ramananda**; **cobbler/tanner** by profession (Chamar caste). • Preached that **true devotion transcends caste** — attained great spiritual status despite low-caste background. • **Mirabai** considered him her Guru; **40 of his hymns** appear in the **Guru Granth Sahib**. • 💡 Barber = Sena (another Ramananda disciple); Weaver = Kabir's profession; Merchant = different background — Ravidas's profession = cobbler/tanner.
The language used by Kabir in his verses is often called:
Correct Answer: C. Sadhukkadi
• **Kabir's language** = called **'Sadhukkadi'** (language of saints) or **'Panchmel Khichdi'** (mix of 5 languages). • A blend of **Braj, Awadhi, Bhojpuri, Rajasthani, and Punjabi** dialects — accessible to common people across regions. • This colloquial, informal style was deliberate — Kabir used it to **pierce through elite religious language** barriers. • 💡 Sanskrit = Brahminical/elite language (not Kabir); Pali = Theravada Buddhist texts; Persian = Sufi/Mughal court poetry — Kabir's special mixed language = Sadhukkadi.
Who is the founder of Sikhism?
Correct Answer: D. Guru Nanak Dev
• **Guru Nanak Dev** (1469–1539 CE) = founder of **Sikhism** and the **first of 10 Sikh Gurus**. • Core teachings: **'Ik Onkar'** (one God), equality of all humans, **Seva** (selfless service), rejection of caste/idol worship. • Composed the **Japji Sahib** and other hymns; traveled to Mecca, Baghdad, Sri Lanka spreading his message. • 💡 Guru Tegh Bahadur = 9th Guru (martyred); Guru Angad = 2nd Guru (Gurmukhi script); Guru Gobind Singh = 10th Guru (Khalsa founder) — Sikhism founder = Guru Nanak Dev.
Which famous Sufi shrine is located in Ajmer, Rajasthan?
Correct Answer: C. Ajmer Sharif Dargah
• **Ajmer Sharif Dargah** = shrine of **Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti** in Ajmer, Rajasthan — most visited Sufi shrine in India. • Annual **Urs (death anniversary)** festival draws millions of pilgrims from all faiths — Hindus, Muslims, Christians. • Akbar walked from Agra to Ajmer barefoot after winning battles — shows Mughal emperors' reverence for Chishti saints. • 💡 Haji Ali = Mumbai (Sufi shrine in sea); Nizamuddin Dargah = Delhi (Nizamuddin Auliya's shrine); Salim Chishti = Fatehpur Sikri — Ajmer Sharif = Moinuddin Chishti.
Madhvacharya was a proponent of which philosophy?
Correct Answer: C. Dvaita
• **Madhvacharya** (13th century, Karnataka) propounded **Dvaita** (Dualism) philosophy. • Argued that **individual soul (Jiva) and Brahman (God/Vishnu) are eternally distinct** — never merge. • Direct contrast to Shankara (soul = Brahman) and Ramanuja (soul dependent but inseparable) — three classical views. • 💡 Advaita = Shankaracharya (no difference); Mimamsa = Purva Mimamsa (ritual/Vedic school, not Bhakti); Vishishtadvaita = Ramanujacharya — Dvaita = Madhvacharya.
Mirabai was a devotee of which Hindu deity?
Correct Answer: C. Krishna
• **Mirabai** (1498–1547 CE) = devout worshipper of **Lord Krishna**; considered Krishna her true husband and lord. • Despite being a Rajput queen (Mewar royal family), she defied social norms to dedicate her life to Krishna. • Her **Bhajans** in Braj/Rajasthani are sung across India; she belongs to **Madhurya Bhakti** (bridal-love devotion). • 💡 Shiva = worshipped by Nayanars/Lingayats; Rama = Tulsidas's devotion; Ganesha = Ganesh worship tradition — Mirabai's deity = Krishna exclusively.
Who is known as the 'Parrot of India' (Tuti-e-Hind)?
Correct Answer: B. Amir Khusrau
• **Amir Khusrau** = called **'Tuti-e-Hind'** (Parrot of India); Sufi poet, musician, and scholar of Delhi Sultanate era. • Disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya; credited with enriching **Indian classical music** and inventing the **Sitar and Tabla**. • Wrote in both Persian and Hindi; composed **Qawwali** — a form of Sufi devotional music. • 💡 Faizi = Akbar's court poet (Persian poetry); Al-Biruni = 11th-century traveler/scholar; Abul Fazl = Akbar's historian (Ain-i-Akbari) — 'Tuti-e-Hind' = Amir Khusrau.
In the context of Sufism, what does the word 'Pir' mean?
Correct Answer: C. Master or Guide
• **'Pir'** = Sufi term for a **spiritual master or guide** — literally 'elder' in Persian/Urdu. • The Pir initiates the **Murid** (disciple) and guides them through the stages (Maqamat) of the spiritual path. • The Pir-Murid relationship is central to Sufism; the Pir's grave (**Dargah**) also becomes a pilgrimage site. • 💡 God = 'Allah'; Music = 'Sama' (Sufi spiritual music practice); Disciple = 'Murid' — Pir = master/guide (not God or disciple).
Who wrote the famous Sanskrit poem 'Gita Govinda'?
Correct Answer: C. Jayadeva
• **Jayadeva** (12th century CE, Bengal/Odisha) wrote **'Gita Govinda'** in Sanskrit — lyric poem on Radha-Krishna love. • Describes the **relationship between Krishna and Radha** (the Gopis) through 24 songs (Ashtapadis). • Had profound influence on **Bhakti movement, Odissi dance, and Vaishnava traditions** across India. • 💡 Tulsidas = Ramcharitmanas (Awadhi, about Rama); Kalidasa = Shakuntalam (Gupta period); Surdas = Sursagar (Hindi, about Krishna) — Gita Govinda = Jayadeva (Sanskrit).
Where is the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) located?
Correct Answer: B. Amritsar
• **Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib)** = holiest Gurdwara of Sikhism, located in **Amritsar**, Punjab. • Designed by **Guru Arjan Dev** (5th Guru); foundation stone laid by Sufi saint **Miyan Mir** (Qadiri order) — interfaith symbol. • Has **4 doors** (all four directions) = open to all castes, religions — symbol of Sikh equality and inclusion. • 💡 Lahore = in Pakistan (was Sikh capital); Delhi = Red Fort/Qutb Minar; Ludhiana = industrial city (no major Sikh shrine) — Golden Temple = Amritsar.